July at the Castro Theatre is a bliss-filled treat, from black-and-white gems like The Third Man through blood-drenched noir classics like The Postman Always Rings Twice.
The Third Man (1949) Whether you think of it as the ultimate hard-luck buddy adventure or as a boy-genius comeback project, this trek through the sewers of post-WWII Vienna remains gloriously entertaining. British director Sir Carol Reed puts naive American Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten) on a seemingly larky journey across the war-ravaged capital, which appears little more than a network of scarcity-generated rackets, from housing slots through counterfeit food-ration coupons. This marks the onset of the period when Orson Welles began to be identified for a series of eccentrically executed acting turns rather than for his great visions as a filmmaker.
The Fallen Idol (1948) Another sublime treat from Carol Reed involves a young boy whose worshipful feelings for a household servant are destroyed upon the discovery of a nasty crime. With Ralph Richardson and Bobby Henrey. (both 7/7)
American Psycho (2000) Brad Easton Ellis' early-90s bestseller is a lurid, guilty-pleasure screen treat. Leave your internal trash detector at home.
Less Than Zero (1987) At the time, Robert Downey Jr.'s turn as a pretty-boy fast-lane cocaine addict appeared little more than art imitating life. A generation later, judge for yourself. (both 7/8)
The Searchers (1956) John Ford and John Wayne combine forces to give us what many critics regard as the greatest Western ever shot for the big screen. One of the film's astonishing moments has Wayne's genocidal, Indian-killing frontiersman shut out of the house as the civilized members of his family search for a more righteous path to conquering another savage tribe.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood team up in this pioneering spaghetti western. (both 7/10)
3 Women (1972) Robert Altman established his reputation as a director with a keen sense of women's inner lives. With awesome turns from Sissy Spacek and Shelley Duvall, this one gives off the unique feel of a 70s sensibility.
Mulholland Drive (2001) Surreal genius David Lynch, who mesmerized with Blue Velvet, returns with another dark-side urban chiller. (both 7/13)
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) John Garfield and Lana Turner are smoking hot as cheating lovers in this first adaptation of James M. Cain's noir murder novel. Remade in the 80s with Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep.
After Dark, My Sweet (1990) James Foley re-invents noir with a nifty cast: Jason Patric, Rachel Ward and Bruce Dern. A seldom-seen minor gem. (both 7/14)
What's Up, Doc? (1972) Peter Bogdanovich revives the 30s screwball-comedy genre with this madcap, San Francisco-based laugher, starring Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal.
Moonstruck (1987) Cher grabs the spotlight as a Brooklyn lass determined to pursue her heart's desires. Norman Jewison directs John Patrick Shanley's script about obsessed characters who won't take no for an answer. Benefits from an early goofy turn from Coppola nephew Nicolas Cage and Oscar-nodded turns from Olympia Dukakis, Cher and Shanley. (both 7/15)
The Muppet Movie (1979) Miss Piggy is in the thick of the fun as the Muppets hit Hollywood.
Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) Pee-wee Herman is determined to get his little red fire engine back to the playhouse. (both 7/16)
Blow Out (1981) Brian De Palma introduces us to the sexy young John Travolta as a film sound guy who stumbles into a political conspiracy thriller that provokes and puzzles.
Phantom of the Paradise (1974) DePalma mixes musical and horror genres to provide Watergate-era energy. (both 7/20)